With Sean’s transition from full-time to volunteer status comes an exciting job opening. We are seeking our next Music Director/Afternoon Host to champion America’s music, connect with audiences, and mentor students at one of the nation’s premier voices for jazz. This is a full-time, on-site, union position with benefits, for an experienced broadcaster with a...Read More
The concert event honoring our 2025 Minnesota Jazz Legends is now a one-hour radio special available on demand. This April, music lovers gathered at the Minnesota History Center to witness a concert honoring drummer Jay Epstein, pianist and Walker West Music Academy founder Grant West, Dixieland trombonist Art Katzman, and the late, award-winning jazz vocalist...Read More
Somali blues & American gospel-style sounds have a conversation in a show coming to two venues in Minnesota this month. Bobby Vandell spoke with the principal artists, vocalist/conductor JD Steele and musician/poet Ahmed Yusuf. Also along for the conversation is event organizer Beck Lee. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20250404102019-Crossroads.mp3 “Meet You at the Crossroads” will be at the...Read More
Federal offices, including local Federal courts and the Postal Service, will be closed today (January 9, 2025). It’s a national day of mourning for President Jimmy Carter, whose state funeral and private burial are scheduled for today. Carter was a well-documented lover of music. His affinity for classical performance and friendships in the country-rock world...Read More
Mushroom expert and author Melany Kahn hangs her hat in New England, but she’s coming to the Twin Cities this week for a series of events. Her book, “Mason Goes Mushrooming,” is inspiration for young people to get outside and start eyeing the forest floors this spring. My 6-year-old daughter is a budding mycologist herself,...Read More
Coming up on Wednesday, May 17, Jazz88 presents the first performance in a series of spring and summer Jazzclectic pop-up concerts. Trumpeter Omar Abdulkarim and his Quartet will play from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the Great Lawn, just north of Allianz Field, before the Loons’ match against Houston. No game ticket required; all are...Read More
Studies indicate that students with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds benefit from the role modeling provided by teachers who share their attributes, but BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) teachers are in short supply. Metro State University’s Urban Educator Program, located on their Minneapolis campus, is looking to help solve the problem, and we recently...Read More
UPDATE (Mar. 2): Most of our streaming services are restored. On-Demand programs should come back as their new episodes air. We’re aware of an issue where TuneIn is carrying Minnesota Jazz Tracks instead of Jazz88 and we have informed them of the problem. Our own Web Player on this site is correct. Apologies if you’re...Read More
Some high-profile spots on the Jazz88 Mainstage at the 2023 Twin Cities Jazz Festival now have equally high-profile artists booked. The Festival’s outgoing Executive Director Steve Heckler made the first wave of artist announcements on Jazz88 Tuesday morning, Jan. 17, for the 24th edition of the Fest: https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20230117135452-SteveHecklerJan17.mp3 After having to cancel prior bookings due...Read More
Noted vocalist, composer, and educator, PaviElle French, is adding the titles of Jazz88 radio host and producer to her resume. Her DJ alter ego, Lady Luca, will present an expansive blues-based show as part of the station’s 12-hour blues music block on Fridays. The new program debuts Friday night, Jan. 6, from 9 to 11...Read More
